Thursday, 30 April 2015
Wednesday, 29 April 2015
Monday, 27 April 2015
What to Look for When Buying Sheets
“High thread counts can certainly make for better sheets, but it’s the thread that matters most. In fact, a sheet of a better-quality fiber with a lower thread count will feel softer and stand up to washing better than a sheet of a lower-quality fiber with a higher thread count. Besides thread count, here’s what you pay for when you’re buying sheets.
Fiber
Cotton-polyester blend sheets are wrinkle-resistant, durable (polyester lasts longer than cotton), and relatively inexpensive (up to half the cost of all-cotton). But if you’re looking for that cool, soft feel, nothing beats 100 percent cotton. You’ll hardly ever wake up clammy on cotton sheets, since the fiber wicks moisture away from your skin. And cotton sheets are less likely to stain than polyester blends; a water-loving fiber, cotton releases dirt easily when wet.
All types of cotton share these wonderful traits, but long-staple (or long-fiber) cotton makes for a noticeably softer sheet, and the surface won’t pill and lint like one woven from shorter fibers. The words “”Egyptian long-staple,”” “”pima,”” and “”Supima”” all denote high-quality long fibers.
Weave
The weave affects the way a sheet feels, the way it looks, its longevity, and its price. Basic plain weaves, which are woven from an equal number of vertical and horizontal yarns, are least expensive and may not rate a mention on the label. Percale is an upscale plain weave with a thread count of 180 or higher and is known for its longevity and crisp feel.
Sateen weaves have more vertical than horizontal yarns. The higher proportion of vertical threads results in an extremely soft fabric, but one that is more apt to pill and tear than a plain weave. Intricate weaves, such as jacquards and damasks feel textured, with a pattern alternating from satiny soft to coarser and nubby. They can be as durable as plain weaves, but they are made on special looms and are considerably more expensive.
Finish
Most sheets are treated with chemicals (including chlorine, formaldehyde, and silicon) to keep them from shrinking, losing their shape, and wrinkling. Some are treated with alkalis to produce a sheen.
A handful of manufacturers offer pure-finish sheets, meaning that no chemicals were used or that all traces of chemicals used during manufacturing have been removed. You’ll have a harder time keeping these sheets wrinkle-free, but it may be worth it if you suffer from allergies or chemical sensitivities. Another finish-free option: organic sheets, which are untreated and woven from cotton grown without the use of pesticides.
Dye
Patterns and colors are usually applied to sheets after they’re woven, which means the sheets may feel stiff until you’ve washed them a few times. The softest (and most expensive) colored or patterned sheets, including jacquard weaves, are made of yarn-dyed fabrics, woven from colored yarns.”
What to Look for When Buying Sheets
Friday, 24 April 2015
Thursday, 23 April 2015
Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Monday, 20 April 2015
Living Room Layout Ideas: Place a Bookcase Behind Your Sofa
Though there are few concrete rules to laying out a living room’s furniture (each space is different, after all), some might agree that putting a furniture piece directly in front of another furniture piece would be like double parking in your living room. There’s one notable and stylish exception to this, though, and that’s putting a bookcase or shelving system behind your sofa. Here are seven spaces proving this look works — and perhaps inspiring your own living room arrangement!
A turquoise tufted sofa shines with an open gold shelf backing it up. ViaDesign*Sponge.
Even a sectional can see some shelf-behind-it action, creating a wonderful and cozy nook. This spotted on Better Homes and Gardens.
The sofa and bookshelf don’t have to be the same width to be paired together; other home elements can be used to balance things out. Designed by Michael Penney.
For a rental where you can’t add wallpaper to the wall, a bookshelf behind a sofa can be an awesome way to add pattern. Seen on Cup of Jo.
A tall, towering storage unit behind a sofa can really set a dramatic tone for an entire space. Seen on Design*Sponge.
Sharon & Chris’ Monochrome Wonder
Weird room layouts and architectural element placement can make putting a sofa behind the sofa the smartest choice.
You can always go low, too, for a great bookcase-behind-the-sofa look. Seen onLovely Life.
Living Room Layout Ideas: Place a Bookcase Behind Your Sofa
Friday, 17 April 2015
Thursday, 16 April 2015
Wednesday, 15 April 2015
Monday, 13 April 2015
Game of Thrones Inspired Room
- Any discussion of Game of Thrones decor must start with the Starks. They may be going through some rough straits right now, but their stark, medieval look never goes out of style. While it may be impossible to get a hold of your own direwolf or full sized Winterfell, you can follow these four tips to design your own bedroom or living room with that signature Stark look.
Fur
Winter is coming, after all, and the key to a nice, warm Stark bedroom is fur. There’s nothing better to keep you warm during the long, long, long winter than some cozy fur throws and fur pillows. The shaggier, the better! Bonus points if you hunted the animal yourself.
Reclaimed Wood
The second step to your ideal Winterfell room is wood that looks like it’s been around since the time of the First Men. A few furniture pieces in a good weathered wood is a must-have if you want that nice 8,000 year old ambiance. And don’t forget, you’re looking for clean, simple lines. If it looks like it could have been made with medieval tools, it’s in!
Candles
To really pull the Stark look together, buy a lot of candles and invest in some candle holders made out of dark metal or wood. Candelabras, chandeliers, good old fashioned candlesticks, they’ll all work, as long as they have that sturdy Stark aesthetic.
Wolves
The Starks love their direwolves, so you can’t go wrong with a well-placed tapestry or statue as a reference to a Stark’s best friend.
For a little extra, throw in a reference to the Godswood and get in touch with the old gods with a tasteful tree sculptures.
Game of Thrones Inspired Room
Friday, 10 April 2015
Thursday, 9 April 2015
Wednesday, 8 April 2015
Monday, 6 April 2015
How to Stay Motivated Around the House: 6 Steps to Accomplishing Your Goals
“Are you struggling with staying motivated about something around your house? Perhaps it’s sticking to a cleaning schedule. Maybe it’s keeping things organized. It could even be finding the energy to make that decor change or tackle that DIY project that you’ve been wanting to do. How do you find your motivation if you’ve lost it? How do you spark it if it was never there to begin with? Consider these six ideas.
1. Focus on what you really want — and why
What is it you’re trying to accomplish? Get very, very clear about exactly what it is you want to do. But then consider why you want to do it. If it’s maintain a cleaner house, think about how that’s because a cleaner house is healthier to live in. If it’s to finally tackle a renovation, remind yourself that it’s because those are changes that will help your life run smoother.
2. Clear out distractions
Be truthful about what the unhealthy distractions are contributing to you not achieving your home goals. Is it vegging out in front of the TV after work? Getting pulled into Pinterest when you should be mopping? Get strict about putting reasonable limitations on the things in your home that are distracting you from the things you really want to be accomplishing.
3. Break it down and organize
After identifying the goals you want to accomplish, why you want to do them and what distractions might be getting in the way, make a specific, mapped out plan. Write down each element to your goal and what you need to do to accomplish it (get detailed).
4. Start small / don’t do it all at once
Take your list and tackle it one thing at a time. Some folks after getting to this point feel so revved up they try to tackle it all at once. But that’s a sure-fire way to burn out.
5. Ask for help if you need
For many, it’s not a distraction that’s getting in the way of not accomplishing things, it’s fear or ignorance on where to start. So if you need help, ask for it! Look online for the answers to whatever home project dilemma is plaguing you. Ask a trusted friend if they will wade in with you.
6. Tell everyone about it
Be accountable for the goals you’re setting. State a goal on Facebook. Write your reasons for wanting to accomplish it on the message board in your entryway.
7. Reward, not punish
Perhaps the most important element on this list. Be KIND to yourself. Be understanding when you fall back into old habits. Don’t punish yourself if you get distracted or miss a milestone task, but reward yourself (any way that you’d like) when you do get back on track to accomplishing your home goals.
”
How to Stay Motivated Around the House: 6 Steps to Accomplishing Your Goals
Friday, 3 April 2015
Thursday, 2 April 2015
Wednesday, 1 April 2015
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